Rome  - Roma's international midfielder Daniele De Rossi Monday was to undergo surgery to treat a broken cheekbone, the Serie A club's website reported.

De Rossi, 26, left the pitch grimacing in pain late Sunday after an aerial clash with Inter Milan's Patrick Vieira during the two sides's 1-1 league draw in Milan.

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri complained about the many fouls from the Serie A frontrunners.

"It was a very good Roma," he said. "We scared them (going one up) and they battered us. I like physical football, but here they exaggerated.

"They (Inter players) are big and strong. If the referee allows them repeated technical fouls they take advantage. De Rossi can tell something about it. Congratulations to Vieira."

Inter coach Jose Mourinho also criticized referee Gianluca Rocchi, claiming that "it was an easy game to officiate. He blew 50 times."

Ranieri's words were "strange" according to Inter president Massimo Moratti.

"I don't think it was such a (rough) game. His accusation is a little unpleasant because it wants to give us a characteristic we don't have."

Game stats showed that Inter committed 26 fouls, Roma 14.(dpa)